Hinterland set to go chasing

Hinterland is set to embark on a novice chase campaign despite making a winning seasonal return in impressive style over hurdles at Chepstow.

The four-year-old bolted up by seven lengths but Paul Nicholls is keen to get him over fences as quickly as possible.

"Ruby (Walsh) was down here this morning, when we schooled 16 of our potential weekend runners on the grass," Nicholls told his Betfair column.

"And one of the horses he sat on was Hinterland, basically to decide whether we kept him hurdling - it may not have been the strongest of handicaps at Chepstow but he was very impressive in a seven-length win off a mark of 141 on his reappearance - or go chasing.

"The horse schooled really well this morning, quick and accurate, and Ruby was suitably impressed. So, subject to confirmation with Jared and Chris (owners Sullivan and Giles) the plan is to go chasing now.

"I have earmarked two possible targets for him next month, at Exeter or Cheltenham, with a view to running him in the Henry VIII, a race we won with Al Ferof last year, at Sandown on Tingle Creek day."